CURRENT
NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL: MEDIUM
Update
on Respectful Workplace training
Over
recent months I have met and spoken to many of you about my strong
commitment to ensuring that the NSWFB is as safe and healthy as it can
possibly be. The KPMG survey highlighted that much more needs to be
done if this is to be an organisation where people are listened to,
are able to be more involved in decision making, and know that they
will always be treated in a respectful and professional manner at
work. Please visit FireTube
to view a short video clip about the type of commitment required of
all of us if we are to keep the good things from the past, while
moving ahead and leaving behind the bad.
The
primary intention of our respectful workplace training program is to
ensure that everybody understands that they have a personal
responsibility to treat others with respect, courtesy, honesty and
fairness; to take all necessary steps to prevent and deal with
harassment, bullying and discrimination in the work environment; and
to know how to report matters that can’t be dealt with locally. This
training will be followed up in the future with further ongoing
workplace conduct and governance training initiatives.
To
date, 840 firefighters and administration/trades staff and 155 senior
managers (including me) have completed the training. Everybody is
required to attend the training over coming months, because
establishing and maintaining a safe, positive workplace culture is
everyone’s responsibility and will benefit us all.
Home
Fire Safety Audit
Last
week we launched an exciting new initiative - a free online Home Fire
Safety Audit, which was developed in conjunction with our major
community partner, GIO Insurance. As outlined in the last Commish’s
Corner, the online audit helps people to identify and reduce fire
risks in their homes. If you haven’t already, please take a few
minutes to visit the site at www.homefiresafetyaudit.com.au
and encourage your family, friends and members of the community to
audit their own homes.
The
launch was a resounding success, with ongoing coverage on major
Sydney
and regional TV and radio, and in the press. Firefighters from 1 City
of
Sydney
, along with staff from the Community Safety Directorate distributed
flyers to commuters at
Martin Place
, Town Hall and Wynyard train stations. The flyers highlight the
alarming statistics for home fires during winter and direct people to
the home fire safety audit website. Well done to everyone involved in
this important initiative.
Women
and Firefighting Conference
Last
week, I attended the 3rd Australasian Women and Firefighting
Conference which focused on exploring the challenges and opportunities
faced by women in the firefighting industry. I spoke briefly about the
NSWFB’s commitment to increasing diversity in the workplace, and
introduced the keynote speaker, Ms Madeleine McManus, the first woman
President of Engineers Victoria. Her engaging presentation focused on
the difficulties that women can face in ‘non traditional’ roles,
and highlighted the importance of mentoring to achieve individual
goals. I was unable to stay for the full conference, but I understand
that the other speakers were equally inspiring and informative. It was
particularly pleasing that the Secretary of the FBEU, Jim Casey,
delivered a presentation which showcased the FBEU’s joint work with
the Brigade to develop diversity strategies.
Air
Force exercise in Darwin
For
the past week I have been in
Darwin
as a guest of the Defence Reserves Support Council observing the Royal
Australian Air Force’s largest air exercise, ‘Exercise Pitch
Black’. Pitch Black involved the RAAF, elements of the Army, and
aircraft from
Thailand
,
Singapore
and
New Zealand
. Together with other employers of Defence reservists and
international observers from 22 other countries, I was able to observe
complex command, control, coordination and communication systems and
processes. The exercise highlighted to me the value of our reservists,
particularly at a time where
Australia
has military support commitments in
Afghanistan
and the
Solomon Islands
. Firefighters who are also ADF reservists have served, and in some
cases are currently serving, in both of these countries. Without
reservists the ADF would not be viable in its current form.
Natural
Disaster Mitigation Program
The
NSWFB is managing two information projects of national significance,
with funding provided 50:50 by the Federal and NSW Governments.
The first, the Data
Dictionary Project, will deliver a
nationally consistent system of data collection and reporting for the
prevention, preparedness, response and recovery activities of
Australian emergency service organisations, primarily urban and rural
fire brigades, and state and territory emergency services. The
findings from this project will provide input for our requirements for
the next generation of AIRS and CARS.
The
second project, the Impact
of Natural Disasters and Emergencies Project,
will deliver a better understanding of the full social, economic and
environmental impacts of natural disasters and fire emergencies. This
will help governments, communities and emergency service organisations
like ourselves, in deciding where to allocate investment to increase
community safety and reduce the impacts of emergencies and disasters.
Further
information is available from Nick Nicolopoulos, Manager Strategic
Information Services on 9265 2962.
Hazmat
vehicle to Bega
This
week, the Minister for Emergency Services Steve Whan inspected the
Hazmat vehicle at Bega Fire Station. This dedicated resource will help
firefighters to deal with both land-based and inland waterways-based
hazmat incidents. Captain Rick Dawson and Supt Dave Lewis were present
at the handover.
Port
Macquarie
Firefighter Championships
Last
weekend, the seventh round of the 2009/10 NSWFB Firefighter
Championships was held at Port Macquarie. Twenty NSWFB teams, as well
as one from
Queensland
and two from the RFS took part, pitting their wits and skill against
each other as they battled it out for the number one spot.
Congratulations to Kootingal RFS who were the overall winners, and to
all the teams for their commitment, competitive spirit and
camaraderie. Kootingal have been regular competitors for some time
now, and have helped to forge strong bonds of friendship and respect
between the services. Well done on your first overall win Kootingal!
Special thanks to the serving and retired firefighters, including
Captain Donald O'Bree and his team from 424 Port
Macquarie
, who worked so hard to make the weekend a success.
$64,000
fundraiser
The
fifth annual NSWFB ‘400 in 4’ Charity Bike Ride has again been a
resounding success. The organisers held a Charity Auction Night late
last year, as well as the bike ride from
Sydney
to Wagga Wagga in March. On 23 June, an official presentation was held
at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, attended by a contingent of
charity riders, Deputy Commissioner John Benson, sponsor
representatives and hospital staff. The total figure of $64,000 was
proudly presented, and greatly appreciated. This is a fabulous outcome
and makes us all proud of the spirit of our staff to be ready to help
others. See the intranet
article for more detail.
New
Computer Aided Dispatch system
We
recently signed a contract with Fujitsu Australia Limited for
replacement of our Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. The new
system will utilise the same platform as the NSW Police Force and ACT
Emergency Services, and is a new generation of our former system. It
will provide integrated dispatch capabilities including telephony and
voice logging/recording. It will have the capacity to support
Automatic Vehicle Location and data transmission to mobile data
terminals in appliances. A new telephony system will enable
load-sharing of calls across Communication Centres. In the future, the
RFS and SES will also make use of the platform, and it is to be known
as ‘ESCAD’ (Emergency Services’ CAD)
Migration
to the new system is expected to occur in late 2011. Discussion has
taken place with the FBEU State Committee of Management and ComCen
FBEU Delegates. Regular contact and consultation will occur with
stakeholders as the project progresses.
INCIDENTS
The
value of firefighters as Communications Operators
At
0029 hours on 15 July, Newcastle Comms received a Triple Zero (000)
call to a bin alight at Woy Woy. QF Ian Anderson took the call and
responded Pumper 340 Umina. One minute later, QF Anderson received
another (000) call to a domestic smoke alarm operating at Umina Beach,
with the caller stating that he could smell smoke.
QF
Anderson immediately diverted Pumper 340 from the bin alight to the
domestic smoke alarm, and then dispatched Tanker 340 to the bin fire.
When Pumper 340 arrived at the address, they found smoke issuing from
the house and a fire in a bedroom. The fire was contained to a single
room and all people accounted for with no injuries. After dealing with
the bin fire, Tanker 340 joined the pumper at the house fire.
QF
Anderson’s knowledge as a firefighter and an experienced comms
operator ensured the quickest possible response to the fire which
posed the greatest potential risk, reducing the damage and threat to
life. A job well done.
Busy
time in the Blue Mountains
Firefighters
in the
Blue Mountains
area were kept very busy for five days from 15 July. On the afternoons
of 15 and 18 July, there were two serious motor vehicle accidents on
the
Great Western Highway
at
Wentworth
Falls
involving numerous vehicles. Crews from 495
Wentworth
Falls
and 343 Katoomba responded to both incidents. They were joined by 361
Leura at the second one, which also required the release of a trapped
person by the rescue crew from 343 Katoomba. Firefighters provided
fire protection at both incidents and assisted in treating the
injured. Several people at both accidents were transported to hospital
for further treatment.
At
1951 hours on Friday 16 July, 445 Springwood, 301 Glenbrook and 102
Regentville responded to a fire in the traction wheels of the leading
car of a train just near Valley Heights Rail Station. This
necessitated the passengers being evacuated to the other cars of the
train so they could continue their journey when the fire was
extinguished.
There
was a house fire at Lawson on Saturday 17 July, with 359 Lawson, 495
Wentworth
Falls
and 343 Katoomba responding at 0054 hours. The house was destroyed,
but the prompt actions of firefighters prevented the fire spreading to
exposed neighbouring houses.
There
was another house fire, at Springwood on Monday 19 July, where crews
from 445 Springwood, 301 Glenbrook and 359 Lawson responded at 1359
hours and extinguished a fire, which was burning through the roof when
the crew arrived. It capped off a very busy five days for the crews in
these areas.
Unit
fire at Blacktown
At
0226 hours on Sunday 18 July, crews from 63
Blacktown
, 43 Seven Hills and 97 Huntingwood responded to a unit fire in
Blacktown
. On arrival, they discovered that the unit was totally involved in
fire which was threatening to spread to the neighbouring unit.
Firefighters quickly mounted an offensive attack using three 38mm
hoselines, and extinguished it before it could spread to exposures.
The
elderly resident managed to escape from the fire prior to Brigade
arrival, after being woken by his smoke alarm. After the fire was
extinguished, the firefighters were able to locate and remove the
resident's war medals for which he was extremely grateful. Premier
Keneally met with the resident, and with the Zone Commander and local
firefighters to thank them for their efforts.
House
fire at Kelso
At
1122 hours on Thursday 22 July, crews from 105 Kelso and 216
Bathurst
responded to a house alight at Kelso. At that time, Senior Firefighter
Dave Ball (a workplace assessor) was driving through Kelso on his way
to Bathurst Fire Station. He noticed the heavy smoke plume and started
driving towards it. SF Ball was the first emergency service officer on
scene.
The
house was already well alight and the occupants had evacuated from the
house or been rescued by neighbours and passers-by. Senior Constable
Anthony Bunyan from Bathurst Highway Patrol arrived shortly after SF
Ball and, along with some of the neighbours, joined SF Ball in
performing CPR on two of the injured children while waiting for the
arrival of ambulance personnel.
The
crews from Kelso and
Bathurst
arrived, started an attack on the fire with two 38mm hoselines and
also assisted with first aid treatment. A total of ten people were
treated by ambulance personnel and taken to hospital, where two of the
girls remain in a serious condition. The fire was extinguished but the
house was totally destroyed.
The
Daily Telegraph highlighted what a great job SF Ball and the fire
crews did, noting the importance of 24/7 vigilance of our emergency
service workers who protect the community. Well done David and Snr
Constable Bunyan.
COMMISH’S
CORNER
- Commissioner’s
email: Commissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au
- Kerri
Raymond, A/Commissioner’s PA: 9265 2930
- To
contribute a story to the intranet, please contact the Public
Affairs and Communications Strategy Unit: 9265 2907